Category: Liadh Ní Riada

A senior source in the Republican Movement has said “We thank Peter Casey, candidate in the election for the Presidency of the Irish Free State, for reminding us of the importance of this election as that State struggles to survive Brexit.”

“In expressing the uafásach views of the comfortable landlord class, but directing those at the travelling community, he also reminds us of our history and the death and destruction that such property ownership views ultimately lead to.”

“When you say “basically people camping in someone else’s land” of anyone, you place the person below the soil in your world view. Yes, someone holds a piece of paper that says they ‘own’ that land in the English system; but the Irish person camping on that land holds their heritage and their heart within them; the person camping on that land lives, but the piece of paper does not.”

“Anyone who camps on the foreshore or in a field during the summer holiday is also “basically people camping in someone else’s land”. As long as care is taken of the locality, and respect shown for the land upon which we walk, there is no need for complaint.”

“The position of the IRB with respect to the comfortable and landlord classes is: “they haven’t gone away, you know”.

“Tagann dualgas leis an Gaeilge. Mar sin an seán-seán-seán thuiscint ár daonnachas. In the Irish language we have the most ancient of our understanding of this world upon which we live.”

“Our language is in danger. Má tá sí i mbaol táimid i mbaol.”

“A language is a way of viewing the world. It is a way of comprehending and explaining things and of communicating emotion. But before we do all other things in a language, first we reason in it. That’s why the Irish language is so important to the world. Sí teanga na gCeannasaigh.”

“Tagann dualgas leis an Gaeilge. Mar sin an seán-seán-seán thuiscint ár daonnachas. In the Irish language we have the most ancient of our understanding of this world upon which we live.”

“Our language is in danger. Má tá sí i mbaol táimid i mbaol.”

“A language is a way of viewing the world. It is a way of comprehending and explaining things and of communicating emotion. But before we do all other things in a language, first we reason in it. That’s why the Irish language is so important to the world. Sí teanga na gCeannasaigh.”

A senior source in the Republican movement has commented that: “Sinn Féin has moved a long way from it’s roots, if it were to allow one of it’s members to be President of the ‘Republic’ of Ireland – even if elected.

The Irish Free State was merely renamed as a Republic in 1949, and on a day-to-day basis most people refer to the Southern 26 Counties as a Republic.

However, no Republic has 2nd class citizens, not on the ground of gender, but also not on the ground of religion.

Clearly, only Christians can become President of the State because of the religious oath of office.

While some will argue that this is merely part of the State tradition, the Oath from Article 12.8 clearly discriminates against Irish people who have moved beyond religion. Almost 25% of Irish people are now atheists, Humanists, or others of no religion. This 25% of the voting population are without voice.

The Father of Irish Republicanism, Wolfe Tone, was most clear that all of Catholic, Protestant, and Dissenter were welcome, and all were equal.

Clearly this is not the case with the Dublin administration.

Sinn Féin would be truer to it’s roots were it to support an abstentionist candidate nominated by the IRB (Irish Republican Brotherhood) – who founded the original Sinn Féin and were the organisers of the 1916 rising from which the 26-county ‘Republic’ of Ireland claims legitimacy – or to declare that Sinn Féin’s own candidate would refuse to take the discriminatory oath.

If the Irish people were to remember their roots, and to seek to reclaim their sovereignty by electing a Humanist Republican, the side-effect of not taking a religious oath – which a true secular Republican could not do – would be the crippling of the Irish Free State.

As that State is dysfunctional already, it would be best to show that clearly.

This is where Sinn Féin’s tradition would take it, if Mary Lou McDonald were true to the aim of a Republic of Equals.”

Women of the Nation 2017

10 November at 20:00, Clonmel Town Hall.

Clonmel Sinn Féin is hosting this event, an event that will be opened by Mayor Catherine Cllr Carey who is the first Sinn Féin Mayor of Clonmel.

This is a gathering of strong Republican minded women who have, through their courage and resilience, made a positive difference for all of us. These women continue on this journey and on November 10th, we get an opportunity to hear their experiences and learn more about their onward journeys and aspirations.

Liadh Ní Riadh M.E.P. is our guest speaker.

There will also be a speaker from Ireland Supporting Palestinian Youth. Ireland Supporting Palestinian Youth is a non-profit community based group whose mission is to develop, empower and support young people in Palestine to reach their full potential through community based projects.

Ger O’Neill from Co Kildare will be speaking about homelessness. Ger will also be laying a wreath at the tree planted at last year’s Women of the Nation Event.

Cllr Martin Browne of Sinn Féin Tipperary has welcomed Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada to County Tipperary to talk with representatives of the Angling community. Following her visit, MEP Ní Riada has said that the potential of the River Suir to support the development of angling tourism has yet to be fully realised. She made the comments following a visit to Golden this week.

Liadh Ní Riada said: “Golden is a beautiful village in an area of outstanding scenery. Its location close to Cashel and its proximity to the main Dublin – Cork motorway mean that it is accessible for domestic and foreign tourists alike.”

“As a member of the European Parliament Committee on Fisheries I have taken a keen interest in the potential for the further development of angling as both a sport and a lure for tourism.”

“Rural Ireland is crying out for investment and for job opportunities. The development of sustainable tourism, based on our greatest natural assets, would be a fantastic boon for rural communities, not least here in Co. Tipperary.”

“I will continue to work alongside Cllr. Martin Browne and with all stakeholders to work towards a sustainable, clean and vibrant tourism offering for anglers that benefits the community and rural economy.”

Cllr Martin Browne adds: “In one of the most historic and one of the most beautiful counties in Ireland, we have a significant opportunity in terms of a unique angling experience. The potential of tourism has never been doubted, and I compliment the members of Cashel/Golden Anglers Association on their work. We received a short tour from Owen Jackman who is Secretary of the Association and were impressed with the commitment of the Association to maintaining the environment.”

“The potential for employment in any environmentally friendly tourism industry should not be overlooked.”

Sinn Féin MEP, Liadh Ní Riada, has facilitated a meeting between Irish fishermen and the group that advises the European Commission on stock sustainability.

The Ireland South MEP brought together representatives from the Irish South and West Fish Producer’s Organisation (ISWFPO) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) to discuss a range of issues.

Ms Ní Riada said the meeting had been “constructive” but “raised a number of questions”.

Ms Ní Riada stated:

“The ISWFPO raised the issue of landing obligations with ICES who clarified that there was no scientific advice given by them on the landing obligation, that there was none requested and consequently it could be established that there was no scientific basis for the landing obligation.

“This begs the question of what was the basis for the landing obligation rule was. Was it politically motivated by the powers that be? The ISWFPO made clear their members feel it is a recipe for disaster.

“The impact of seismic surveys on spawning stocks and larvae was also raised, particularly in reference to the effects of large scale seismic survey operations in all waters on fish stocks, as evidence has suggested it is having a detrimental effect.

“The scientific and ecological impact of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by supertrawlers was also a major concern, especially regarding by-catch and over-catch.

“A discussion was also had on the value of Irish fishermen being given a scientific quota by Irish national authorities so that scientific data can be collected by Irish fishermen. This is then used with anecdotal evidence to evaluate the health of various stocks and to make a stronger case for larger quotas for Irish fishermen.

“All in all it was a constructive and revealing meeting. The very fact I was able to facilitate it is an improvement in itself as the intention was to give Irish fishermen, particularly the small-scale, inshore fleet and coastal communities, a direct line of communication with this international scientific body.

“This influential group is now well aware that Irish fishermen often feel excluded from the decision making process whilst the wealthy fishing cartels, who have most to gain and lose from the advice ICES gives to the EU, are often involved in every aspect of the process.

“Hopefully this is the beginning of a change in that unhealthy culture.”

Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has said the government must act on super trawlers.

Liadh has called for the Navy and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) to “aggressively monitor” the ships as yet another of the colossal vessels made its way into Irish waters this week.“Yesterday yet another super trawler was discovered in Irish waters. The Dirk Dirk is now fishing off the coast of Donegal, which was ravaged by the Margiris, the second largest trawler in the world, as recently as December.

“Right now, according to vessel watching groups, there are at least three of these super trawlers in Irish waters.

“The dangers they pose and the damage they do cannot be overstated.

“Every year the foreign super trawler fleets moves to the coasts of Ireland when our own fleet is docked and fish well into the summer. They put fishermen´s gear at risk by towing and destroying them, an act which has a particularly damaging effect on crab and lobster pots. They are devastating the Irish fishing industry through their disregard for quotas and the huge number of dead fish they illegally dump back into our waters.

“The environmental damage they wreak is immense. They are capable of processing as much as 250 tonnes of fish per day, killing countless dolphins, whales, sharks and other marine life that get caught in their massive nets.

“They are of no benefit whatsoever to the our coastal areas as none of the fish are landed here. The fish are caught, processed and remain on-board before being landed back on the continent.

“This is becoming an annual occurrence. The SFPA and government say they cannot do anything but it’s a question of political will.

“I am once again calling for continuous and rigorous inspections of these ships while they are here to ensure they are complying with the very letter of the law. The SFPA has no problem aggressively monitoring Irish vessels and I would like to see them direct that diligence at these industry destroying behemoths.

“There should also be a redress scheme for Irish fishermen whose gear and equipment has been destroyed or damaged. If the Irish Government is not willing to face these trawlers down the least they can do is support the coastal communities they are damaging.”

Sinn MEP Liadh Ní Riada was in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary on Friday to meet the River Shannon Protection Alliance group along with Cllr Séamie Morris. Liadh heard first hand from people who have been affected by the lowering water levels on Lough Derg among many other issues. Liadh agrees that Lough Derg is vital for the tourism prospects in the region for the future and as an economic asset for the Mid West region.

Irish Water’s preferred proposition at present is to use water from Lough Derg via a major pipe construction to supply Dublin and surrounding areas.

Irish Water have begun a public consultation process that will last until Feb 14th 2017. Councillor Morris is calling on people who feel strongly about this issue to contact him, get involved in local campaign groups, or lodge their own submission.

“We already have problems arising in the Irish mushroom sector, because of the significant weakening of Sterling against the Euro over recent weeks, with plants closing down, as a result of Brexit concerns.”

“Brexit is an all-island issue. So, I expect MEPs from all over Ireland to support the setting up of a Brexit working group for agriculture.

“In my opinion farming and food in Tipperary are the industries that have most to lose from Brexit.”

Liadh is also concerned about rural Tipperary, A European Commission report into the Cumulative Effects of Trade Agreements which was published today proved again that deals like CETA & TTIP will have devastating consequences for agriculture.

Now Irish MEPs (Fine Gael, in particular) have a choice to make in advance of the European Parliament vote on CETA, due to take place in December.

They can either support Irish farmers or they can support regressive trade deals such as CETA & TTIP, but they can’t support both.